Michael Houghton Email & Phone Number

An emerging early career researcher with a background in cell metabolism, biochemistry and molecular nutrition. My research is focused on the association between biologically active dietary components, metabolism and chronic disease risk factors. I am an expert in cell culture, ion chromatography, droplet digital PCR, automated Westerns, advanced plate reader assays and cell respirometry.I have advanced our understanding of how dietary (poly)phenols protect hepatic, muscle and adipose cells from metabolic stress and regulate metabolic pathways at the molecular level in relation to translatable effects in vivo. I characterised a human skeletal muscle cell model for use in metabolism research, and exploited this model to investigate the influence of gut microbiome catabolites on insulin signalling and glucose metabolism, demonstrating a novel link between diet, the microbiome and energy source utilisation. I have developed novel chromatographic methods for the highly specific, sensitive and accurate quantification of carbohydrates in cells and culture media, in vitro enzyme assays, foods and beverages, blood and urine. These methods have been used to measure sugars and oligosaccharides in amylase and glucosidase inhibition assays, revising and advancing our knowledge on the inhibitory potential and complexation mechanisms of other nutrients with carbohydrates in the gut.When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, I led urgent in vitro mechanistic work investigating potential prophylactic compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. I characterised a suitable lung epithelial cell model in a physiologically-relevant air-liquid interface, and others including nasal and gut cells, in order to screen the effects of treatments on the expression of the key coronavirus entry proteins, and am in collaboration with The Peter Doherty Institute to test promising candidates on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.In addition to research, I have have guest-lectured for several BSc and MSc units, co-supervised an Honours student to completion and am currently co-supervising two PhD students. I chair the ECR Committee at the multi-institutional, interdisciplinary Monash Health Translation Precinct and sit on the Faculty ECR Steering Committee. My work has been presented at five international conferences, I was invited to speak at an international respirometry workshop, and I conceived and organised three student conferences.

Listed skills include Microscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Research, Biochemistry, and 30 others.